Abstract
BackgroundTo date, few recent studies have investigated the quality of life of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It remains unclear how individuals with ASD view their own quality of life.ObjectiveThe primary purpose of this study was to compare the quality of life scores among adults with ASD with those of a non-ASD control group and the Taiwanese health population reference group.MethodsThe study comprised 41 adults with ASD (M age = 26.9, SD = 5.0), and without intellectual disabilities (IQ>70). A comparison sample of 41 adults without ASD was selected by matching the age and sex of the participants with ASD. A validated measure, the Taiwanese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), was used. Independent t-tests were performed to examine the differences in the quality of life between groups.ResultsThe highest quality of life was scored in the environment domain, followed by the physical health and psychological health domains. The lowest quality of life score was found in the social relationship domain. Adults with ASD scored significantly lower in all domains than did the non-ASD control group. Additionally, adults with ASD scored significantly lower in the physical health, psychological health, and social relationship domains than did the Taiwanese health population reference group. Comorbid psychiatric disorders, self-rated health status, and perceived happiness were correlated with quality of life among adults with ASD.ConclusionThe preliminary findings suggest that adults with ASD need more supportive social contexts and interventions to promote their quality of life. Based on our findings, social relationship must be considered in designing and applying treatment programs for adults with ASD.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, and developing and maintaining relationships across various contexts, and the presence of restricted repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities [1]
The preliminary findings suggest that adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) need more supportive social contexts and interventions to promote their quality of life
In the current study, we addressed the following questions: (1) How do adults with ASD rate their own quality of life? (2) How do adults with ASD differ from adults without ASD and the Taiwanese health population reference group with respect to their views on quality of life? (3) How is quality of life related to age, gender, education level, employment status, smoking habits, drinking habits, comorbid psychiatric disorders, self-rated health status, and perceived happiness?
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, and developing and maintaining relationships across various contexts, and the presence of restricted repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities [1]. The prevalence of ASD is reportedly increasing in Western countries as well as in Taiwan [3]. In 2007, the annual rate of increase in ASD was 16.52%, which was the highest among all disabilities [4]. The number of identified persons with ASD in Taiwan was 13,366 in 2013 [5]. Almost 25% of those with ASD were 18 years old and older. Within 10 years, approximately 7,000 more people in Taiwan with ASD will become 18 years old and older creating increasing challenge in adult placement. Few recent studies have investigated the quality of life of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It remains unclear how individuals with ASD view their own quality of life
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